Does your business need to replace or upgrade its fire alarm system? If so, the stakes are high. After all, it’s more than just checking off a safety requirement; it’s about protecting the people and equipment inside your commercial building.
With that being said, how do you know whether it’s better it repair or replace a commercial fire alarm system?
Age of System
Since fire alarm systems don’t last forever, sometimes they need upgrading and other times they need to be fully replaced. How old is the system at your business? Has it been working well or does it bother people with nuisance alarms? Most people have no idea how old their building’s fire alarm system is, let alone that it might need upgrades or replacing– but here’s the deal: systems should be replaced every 10 years from the date of their manufacture according to the National Fire Protection Association.
That said, not every strange beep or blinking light means your entire fire alarm system is on its last leg. Sometimes, a simple replacement part, such as a new smoke detector head or a functioning control module can bring your system back to life. If your system is relatively new, and well-maintained, repairs can be a quick and cost-effective fix.
Fluid Code Requirements
As the years go on, local code requirements and ordinances might change, which means upgrades or replacements are necessary in order to be in legal compliance with local laws and rules. If buildings change– adding on elevators, changing room sizes, etc.– upgrades should be done. Life Safety Consultants sells replacement parts if you’re happy with your older model and don’t want to buy a brand new system. Check out what Life Safety Consultants sells, here. That said, if your system is so old that replacement parts aren’t available anywhere for it, then it’s time for a replacement.
Finding Replacement Parts
Life Safety Consultants provides replacement commercial smoke sensor bases, circuit boards, power supplies, smoke detectors, duct detectors, pull stations and more, so you can keep your building safe while saving money. Life Safety Consultants has parts for the following systems: Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Cardkey Pegasys, Siemens/ Landis System 600, Simplex, Siebe/ Barber Colman Network8000, CSI S7000 and I/Net, Cerberus Pyrotronics System 3, ADT & EST IRC-3, and FCI.
Upgrading a system already wired into the building can save thousands of dollars in labor and installation costs. Life Safety Consultants provides hard-to-find and discontinued parts in order to easily repair the original system and eliminate the need for system replacement.
At the end of the day, the choice to repair or replace comes down to system age, part availability, code compliance, and cost. If you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to get a professional evaluation before making a big decision.
For more information, call Life Safety Consultants at 888-557-0558, or email sales@lifesafetycom.com.
